Mennonite
Historical
Society

of Alberta

West Zion Mennonite Church fonds

Accession 2002.015

Title and Physical Description

West Zion Mennonite Church fonds. — 2001. — 2 cm of textual records

Administrative History

The first Mennonite to settle in the Carstairs-Didsbury area of Alberta was Andrew Weber, who came from Ontario in 1894. The West Zion Mennonite Church began services and formally organized in 1901 and is located near Carstairs. Israel R. Shantz is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation has been affiliated with the Northwest Mennonite Conference (1903- ) and the Mennonite Church (1903-2003). The language of worship is English. The congregation originated through colonization of Alberta from Ontario, but was unusual for its time, as half the membership in the 1950s was of British descent. Ministers who served prior to 1960 included Israel R. Shantz, Amos Weber, Moses H. Schmitt, Noah R. Weber, Henry Weber, Allan Good, Norman Buschert, Alvin Steckly, Abe Reist, Ezra Stauffer, Linford Hackman, Henry J. Harder and Gordon Buschert.

Custodial History

Gift by West Zion Mennonite Church to Conference of Mennonites in Alberta.

Scope & Content

The fonds consists of a centennial scrapbook and essays.

Source of Acquisition

Gift by Conference of Mennonites in Alberta through Henry Goerzen, CMA Archivist, 2002.

Finding Aids

See File Inventory

Related Materials

Northwest Conference Mennonite fonds located at Historical Library & Archives (Goshen, IN)

Notes

Accession 2002.015
Last updated 21 Apr 2002 – Judith Rempel
Revised June 2012

Files Inventory

1-1 Centennial Scrapbook – 2001
1-2 Alvin Steckly – 2001
1-3 “Being a Mennonite” – 2001